NASHVILLE – Happy 4th of July!
Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend.
No holidays here for the Titans mailbag, however.
Let's get this thing popping…
Here's the link to ask questions: CLICK HERE.
Jonny Guider from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim, hope you and yours are staying safe. I have a question about regulations on contract structure. So, imagine for a second that we don't sign Jadeveon Clowney. Is there anything stopping us from giving that leftover money + the tag price to Henry this year as part of a longer-term contract so that the upcoming years would be much cheaper? This would quiet those who are worried that running backs rarely sustain his level of success. I guess that money wouldn't roll over to next year's cap, but I still think it would make sense to give him a front-loaded contract so that, in the unlikely event that he starts to slow down, the team wouldn't be saddled with a huge yearly payout.
Jim: Hey Jonny. Don't sign Clowney?!? I'm not really panicking, of course. At this point, everyone is still in a waiting game, waiting on Clowney to decide what he wants to do. The last rumor I saw says he wants to play for either the Saints or Cowboys. Who knows if that's true? I continue to think what happens with Clowney has no bearing on Henry's deal, and whether he gets signed long-term or not. If you consider what Henry would make on the tag in 2020 and 2021, we're talking over $20 million that could be used as part of guaranteed money/signing bonus. Then you have to consider what the 2022 number might be, and factor it in. There's ways to get it done, but without being involved in the negotiations or trying to squeeze info out of the agents like I did during my days with The Tennessean, I can't tell you what's kept it getting done so far. The two sides now have until July 15 to agree to a long-term deal or Henry will have to play on the tag number in 2020.
Jose Peralta from San Antonio, Texas
Question: Hello Mr. Wyatt. My name is Joe and I have been reading your " ask Jim" for quite a while now and this is my first time writing in. Anyway I really enjoy reading your answers to all of the Titan nation's questions. So here I go I really always wanted to ask you a question: My question is, in your opinion what do you think has been the best game you have seen since the Oilers move to Tennessee and became the Titans ? I hope you have a wonderful and blessed day Jim. Stay safe and thank you very much for your time. Titanup!!!!
Jim: Pick one? No easy way, Jose. You must admit, this is a tough one. The Music City Miracle probably comes to mind for many, but the truth is that game wasn't exactly a classic until the improbable finish. I always bring up the Titans-Steelers AFC Divisional Playoff game on January 11, 2003, when Joe Nedney kicked a game-winning field goal to win it 34-31 in OT. That could be No.1 for me. I admit recency bias might get me on this one – and the fact I enjoy watching Patrick Mahomes play – but the Titans-Chiefs regular season game last season, when the Titans rallied for a 35-32 win, might be the best regular season game I've seen in the stadium. The Eagles-Titans game in 2018 – when Corey Davis made the game-winning catch on the final play, is a recent dandy, too. There have been some other fantastic finishes – Rob Bironas hitting a 60-yarder to win it vs the Colts in 2006, Vince Young-to-Kenny Britt on the final play to beat the Cardinals in 2009, and a comeback from 21-0 down to beat the Giants in 2006. Heck, the first regular season game played in the stadium, when Steve McNair ignored the boos to guide a comeback win over the Bengals, was so memorable. Back in the day, McNair guided comeback wins at Three Rivers Stadium over the Steelers in 2000, and The Meadowlands over the Giants in 2002, I'll never forget. But after a lot of mentions, I'm going with the Music City Mulligan. That's the Titans-Steelers playoff classic I touched on earlier, when Nedney's kick won it in OT after a miss (and a roughing the kicker penalty) on the previous attempt. There was a lot at stake on this night, and it was a dandy.
Roger Wilson from Spring Hill, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim, thanks for everything you do to keep us current on Titan happenings. With the big spike in COVID 19 cases around the country who has the final say if the NFL will be able to start their season? Is it the home city/states of each team or the NFL? If a state or city has mandated no gatherings of say 20 or more how could the league begin? Thanks
Jim: Hi Roger. It's a very fluid situation. The city of Nashville reverted back to Phase 2 on Thursday, and that reduced the number of folks who can gather to 25. But rules and regulations on July 4th might look a lot different when the regular season kicks off in September. The NFL will have the final say on what happens with the season. The NFL, along with state and local authorities, will all have a say in things as far as whether fans will be allowed at games, and if so, how many. The only thing people can do to help right now, in my opinion, is wear a mask. This is not a political opinion. Personally, I wear as mask (except for when I'm running and/or when I can practice social distancing outside) to protect my wife, who is a diabetic, to protect my 82-year-old parents, to protect everyone else, and to protect myself. And I think everyone wearing a mask would help change the COVID 19 numbers, and enhance the chances of football being played in front of fans in the fall. A month from now, I think we'll have a much better idea of the direction things are going.
Ernesto Santillano from Anthony, New Mexico
Question: Hello Jim. First time writer to your mailbag. Thank you for providing great reading material every week.
I have been familiar with Titans Radio since the game when Steve McNair led the Titans to victory against the New York Giants in 2002; and let me tell you, it was a great first game to get introduced to Titans Radio. It was not until the last few years, however, that I have listened to Titans Radio, almost religiously, during every live game. Even if a Titans game is shown on local coverage, or nationally televised, I now watch live games on (muted) television, and listen to Mike Keith, Coach Mac and Amy Wells loud on my surround speakers. I will never forget the back to back Saturday night specials against the Patriots and Ravens during this last playoff run. Heck, even Raider and Steeler fans who joined me to watch the playoff games were not only impressed with the Titans performances, but they enjoyed the Titans Radio play by play as well. I cannot imagine watching those playoff games without Titans Radio on play by play, or any other games for that matter. This brings me to my question: How come during the AFC Championship game against the Chiefs, the Titans Radio broadcast was replaced by what seemed like a different radio network? I don't even remember the names of the network or the announcers.
Jim: Thanks Ernesto. Thanks for writing. I asked Mike Keith about this, and he said thank you as well. And then he passed along this answer: The NFL retains network radio rights to the championship games and the Super Bowl. The local team broadcast can only be carried by the network flagship WGFX 104.5 in Nashville, while other Titans Radio stations can carry the national feed through Westwood One.
Johnny K from Hendersonville, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim, I am concerned about our D-Line talent. Outside of Jeffery Simmons and DaQuan Jones, I don't see any difference makers. Has Robinson or Vrabel said if there is a need for an upgrade? Seems like our weakest group without Casey.
Jim: Hey Johnny. There's no doubt Casey will be missed. Some guys are going to have to step up around Simmons and Jones, no doubt. The team is excited about the addition of veteran Jack Crawford, and about the potential of draft pick Larrell Murchison. But guys like Matt Dickerson, Isaiah Mack, Joey Ivie and others will have a chance to step up as well. I've heard some good things about undrafted free agent Teair Tart and am looking forward to see him practice. I agree this position has some question marks, but I see some answers in the group, too.
Robert Bryan from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: I know this sounds soooo simple so here goes: Do not bring players on the field till after the anthem is played, like in college? End of story!
Jim: Thanks for taking the time, Robert. This has emerged as a popular solution for many in the mailbag ...
Robert Starkey from Corpus Christi, Texas
Question: Jim, the Titans starting lineup both offensive and defensive looks solid and one of the best in a long time. I see our Linebacker group as probably the best on the whole staff so why all the talk about Clowney? I personally think our thinnest spot is defensive line or CB behind our starters. Just gonna throw an idea out there maybe you could get to the GM, lol, why not offer Chris Jones from KC a contract and just give up the last pick in the draft we are going to have after winning the Super Bowl next year and have another absolute monster on the D-line to go along with Simmons and DQ to be starters and then have Mack who really impressed last year along with the others rotate in? I think that along with signing the "King" to a long-term deal would make much better sense then going after Clowney. I'm just not as big on him as everyone else is; maybe it's because he played for the Texans (lol) but I'm just not convinced he is any better than what we already have in our linebacker group. Anyway, really enjoy reading your mailbag and am really excited for the franchise and especially the players. The 20's look to be a very special decade for the franchise with Big JR and Vrabel at the helm and of course Mrs. Adams Strunk who has been as much a part of our bright future as anyone. Take care and God Bless.
Jim: Hi Robert. I like your optimism. But I'm not going to lock the door on Clowney if he wants to walk in it. And while Jones for a seventh would be nice, that sounds like a pipe dream to me. I know, I know – the Titans traded away Jurrell for a seventh, but that had more to do with his cap number and scheduled salary than anything else. And did you see this week where Jones said he wants $20 million per year on a new deal? We do agree on this: I also think the future is bright.
Have a great weekend everyone!
